Dems seek GOP help in forcing vote on ‘clean’ bill

Three Democratic members of Congress are asking a group of their Republican colleagues to support efforts to force a vote on a “clean” government funding bill.

The Democrats — Reps. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), George Miller (Calif.) and Nita Lowey (N.Y.) — sent letters to 30 House Republicans who are identified by the Democrats as willing to vote for a temporary budget measure that does not call for the defunding or a delay in the Affordable Care Act.

The Senate has passed a bill doing that, but Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has refused to allow a vote on it in the House, saying the measure would not pass. Independent tallies however, including one by The Washington Post, indicate that there are enough votes for approval.

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The Democrats want the Republicans to join in signing a discharge petition Saturday. A petition signed by a majority of members could force a vote on the bill.